Maine won’t have an AD starting Jan 1, 2025

[cloud_flare12345]

Just got a text from the AD. Springer’s is “consolidating” their Rolex operations out of Maine into Portsmouth NH only.

[Barada7]

Stinks! I really enjoyed the Portland store. Super friendly people.

[sampelligrino]

Sad to me that soon there will no longer be mom and pop ADs in the country, a thing of the past...

They will all be posh official Rolex lounges similar in feel and vibe of immense sterile wealth and the fact that you'll need to beg a random SA for the chance to try on an exhibition piece

[brandrea]

Sad to see the smaller ADs go.

[NoVaSubowner]

Originally Posted by sampelligrino

Sad to me that soon there will no longer be mom and pop ADs in the country, a thing of the past...

They will all be posh official Rolex lounges similar in feel and vibe of immense sterile wealth and the fact that you'll need to beg a random SA for the chance to try on an exhibition piece

Seriously. Stumbling on Mom and Pop store while travelling or just day tripping was part of the fun of Rolex shopping..... The more glass and pine cabinets, the better. Bonus if they had piles of china to one side of the store. Major points if the owner himself was working the counter....

You got the feeling these kind of places had been selling Rolex since the company was founded. Now the atmosphere is homogenous and the vibe is like that of a confession booth..

[TonyD]

Agreed, bummer. Portsmouth is closer to me but I always ended up in Portland a few times a year. Hopefully the sales folks will find a soft landing.

Are they closing or just pulling out Rolex?

[sailingskyward]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Agreed, bummer. Portsmouth is closer to me but I always ended up in Portland a few times a year. Hopefully the sales folks will find a soft landing.

Are they closing or just pulling out Rolex?

They aren’t closing, just no longer carrying Rolex at this location. Word around town is they will be introducing another fine watch brand in the new year.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by NoVaSubowner

Seriously. Stumbling on Mom and Pop store while travelling or just day tripping was part of the fun of Rolex shopping..... The more glass and pine cabinets, the better. Bonus if they had piles of china to one side of the store. Major points if the owner himself was working the counter....

You got the feeling these kind of places had been selling Rolex since the company was founded. Now the atmosphere is homogenous and the vibe is like that of a confession booth..

My parents retired to a town of 6000 in the 80’s, the local jeweler was a Rolex dealer. Almost every small town in Texas had similar.
By 2010 or so most were gone but there was still a dozen or so in towns with 25K populations then one by one they started disappearing. I know of only one left outside the major cities and it probably survives because a major college is there. I still like browsing watch shops some when I travel but yes the Rolex ones have become pretty generic.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by cloud_flare12345

Just got a text from the AD. Springer’s is “consolidating” their Rolex operations out of Maine into Portsmouth NH only.

Well the Portsmouth store is a boutique and they've treated me well. Also, there's no sales tax in NH so that's an advantage. I wouldn't be surprised to have Long's do something similar.

[cloud_flare12345]

Originally Posted by sailingskyward

They aren’t closing, just no longer carrying Rolex at this location. Word around town is they will be introducing another fine watch brand in the new year.

They’re adding grand seiko and nomos

[TonyD]

Actually that location kinda stinks. Its several blocks away from the tourist stuff in a a nondescript financial building setting. Keeps out the casual shopper but also you really have to know to go dig for it.

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by cloud_flare12345

They’re adding grand seiko and nomos

Kinda lame.... Longs and Royal already have those.

Now that Patek, AP and ALS have Boston boutiques not much left.

[gerry100]

at least Portsmouth is not too far, Upstate NY has 2 within 50 miles near Albany and then none for 300 miles until Buffalo

[kieselguhr]

Everyone complaining about the loss of that “good old feeling” of shopping mom and pop stores for Rolex, where were you 5-10 years ago? They needed you then, so that Rolex could see the value in keeping them around today.

You don’t have to answer. It’s a rhetorical question. Your were either completely absent or shopping for discounted deals from the “vile grey dealers“

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Everyone complaining about the loss of that “good old feeling” of shopping mom and pop stores for Rolex, where were you 5-10 years ago? They needed you then, so that Rolex could see the value in keeping them around today.

You don’t have to answer. It’s a rhetorical question. Your were either completely absent or shopping for discounted deals from the “vile grey dealers“

Ding ding ding.

[daysky1]

Originally Posted by cloud_flare12345

Just got a text from the AD. Springer’s is “consolidating” their Rolex operations out of Maine into Portsmouth NH only.

I've contacted a few out of state Rolex authorized dealers and they tell me that they won't sell to somebody who is not living in their state. I wonder if anyone here has purchased a watch from another state of which they don't live. And how did that transaction occur.?

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Everyone complaining about the loss of that “good old feeling” of shopping mom and pop stores for Rolex, where were you 5-10 years ago? They needed you then, so that Rolex could see the value in keeping them around today.

You don’t have to answer. It’s a rhetorical question. Your were either completely absent or shopping for discounted deals from the “vile grey dealers“

Wrong, actually I was a 25 years old kid walking into those stores either locally or while traveling and enjoying the beautiful customer service as they let me try on watches on display that I could only dream of affording at the time

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by sampelligrino

Wrong, actually I was a 25 years old kid walking into those stores either locally or while traveling and enjoying the beautiful customer service as they let me try on watches on display that I could only dream of affording at the time

So you were absent…

[enjoythemusic]

Plus no sales tax in NH

[Shadow Play]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Everyone complaining about the loss of that “good old feeling” of shopping mom and pop stores for Rolex, where were you 5-10 years ago? They needed you then, so that Rolex could see the value in keeping them around today.

You don’t have to answer. It’s a rhetorical question. Your were either completely absent or shopping for discounted deals from the “vile grey dealers“

Spot on. Money talks, it’s as simple as that. It’s also a story as old as time.

The following springs to mind:

🎶 Don't it always seem to go. That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?They paved paradise and put up a parking lot 🎶

[mailman]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Well the Portsmouth store is a boutique and they've treated me well. Also, there's no sales tax in NH so that's an advantage. I wouldn't be surprised to have Long's do something similar.

Same experience with the Portsmouth store Lee. I’ve been in there a few times and have nothing but good things to say about everyone. Do I have a chance to get a watch? Who knows. They are very polite and take the time to spend with you.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by daysky1

I've contacted a few out of state Rolex authorized dealers and they tell me that they won't sell to somebody who is not living in their state. I wonder if anyone here has purchased a watch from another state of which they don't live. And how did that transaction occur.?

I think you need to pick up in person. But if an AD says they won't sell to anyone but locals that is their store policy. That will change quick if the demand falls off and cases fill back up again.

[davek35]

The closest AD to me is in the middle of a 8 figure expansion. They just moved into the new side of the store, but part of the old side will be the new expanded Rolex area.. it's own space.

My SA said that 2-3 stores in the state/region are losing Rolex. When asked if they would accept inquiries for Rolex by phone, the SA said no. They will have to drive to the AD.

But lucky for me, they hope to get a larger inventory... not that I need anything :)

[1William]

Sorry to see it happen but such is the situation. It is business.

[DoubleDeac]

Does anyone know why?

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by DoubleDeac

Does anyone know why?

The new RolexUSA is looking for bigger markets or their allocation from Geneva is restricted.